Ruwatan Murwakala, a Tradition Cleansing

Javanese people believe that basically every human being is Sukerta, which means the one who has dirt and stain, or an allegory of those who have bad karma and unforgivable sin. Therefore, in Javanese tradition, there is Ruwatan, a certain method of cleansing the body and mind from Sukerta for a hope of prosperity, healthiness, and blissfulness in life, and for avoiding disaster and misery.Commencing the Islamic and the Anno Domini new years, the ruwat guide Ir Tukimin Wisanggeni and the dalang ruwatan, or a Ruwatan specialist puppet master, Ki Sri Sadono Amongrogo from Kartosuro, Central Java, hold the Ruwatan Murwakala, a traditional effort to cleanse oneself with the universal cosmic energy in a cultural packaging. As much as 108 believers, called the Sukerta, came from many regions to attend the ruwatan ritual, which do not discriminates their ages, sexes, and religions.After the sunset, hundreds of Sukerta in their consecratory white robes, which representing cleanliness and holiness, walk to Pendopo, or a Javanese open veranda/vestibule, where the Ruwatan will be held. As soon as they arrive in Pendopo, the Sukerta conduct Sungkem, a Javanese tribute of kneeling down and kissing one's parents' knees, to beg for forgiveness of all mistakes they have made. For anyone whose parents were deceased, then the Ruwatan guide will stand for their parents.In Ruwatan, wayang, or Javanese puppet play, is the most important ritual since the dalang ruwatan will play Murwakala story, which is believed to be the spell to cleanse the Sukerta, no wonder the mystical atmosphere covers the wayang play, especially since the dupa, or Javanese incense clouds the surrounding. After the play, the dalang will approach the Sukerta to cut a lock of their hair. The ritual continues with a flower shower bath, as if to rinse bad karma and sin away in order to cleanse the Sukerta and enable them to be reborn as clean human beings. (Jakarta Globe/ Afriadi Hikmal)